Summary
Summary Othello [Study Note]
- Course
- Institution
- Book
An in-depth summary of Shakespeare's Othello. The summary includes quotes that can be used in your final essay
[Show more]
Connected book
Book Title:
Author(s):
- Edition:
- ISBN:
- Edition:
More summaries for
-
matric Othello notes
-
Othello quote bank organised into themes without analysis - all acts included
-
Othello revision booklet AQA A Level English Lit B
Seller
Follow
lilyngulube
Content preview
Othello[Study Note]
Lily Ngulube
,Lily Ngulube
,Setting
In Othello, the setting shifts primarily between Venice and Cyprus. Venice, a powerful
city-state, symbolises order and control, representing a structured, civilised society
where Othello is a respected general. In contrast, Cyprus, an isolated island, reflects
chaos and vulnerability, becoming the backdrop for the majority of the play as
emotions intensify and lead to Othello's tragic downfall. The change in setting
mirrors Othello's mental state, moving from rationality in Venice to overwhelming
jealousy and madness in Cyprus.
Lily Ngulube
, Synopsis
Act 1
The play opens in Venice, where Iago, upset that Othello appointed Cassio as
lieutenant instead of him, conspires with Roderigo to ruin Othello. They inform
Desdemona’s father, Brabantio, of her secret marriage to Othello, hoping to incite
conflict. Brabantio confronts Othello, but Othello defends himself before the Duke
and Senate. Desdemona supports Othello, and the Senate tasks Othello with leading
the Venetian forces to defend Cyprus from a Turkish invasion.
Act 2
The action moves to Cyprus, where Othello, Desdemona, and the Venetian forces
arrive. The threat from the Turks is neutralised, but tension rises as Iago sets his plan
into motion. Iago manipulates Cassio into drunkenly fighting Roderigo, which leads
to Cassio being stripped of his rank. Iago advises Cassio to ask Desdemona for help
in restoring his position, using this opportunity to fuel Othello's suspicions of their
relationship.
Act 3
Iago intensifies his scheme by planting the idea of Desdemona's infidelity in Othello’s
mind. When Desdemona pleads with Othello on Cassio's behalf, it heightens Othello’s
jealousy. Iago stages a scene where Cassio talks with Desdemona, and he arranges for
Othello to see it. Iago also manipulates Othello into believing that Desdemona gave
Cassio the handkerchief, a cherished token from Othello, further fueling his
suspicions. By the end of this act, Othello is fully consumed by jealousy and vows
revenge.
Lily Ngulube
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller lilyngulube. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $14.25. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
75323 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now